Method and system for distributing management information over power networks

Abstract

Systems and methods for distributing management information in a computing system over existing power are disclosed. Embodiments of these systems and methods may eliminate the need for a separate physical network to distribute management information in the computer system and the commensurate physical hardware need to implement these networks. More particularly, embodiments may provide a management system which may place a management communication on a physical transport medium. This management communication may then be placed on the power lines used to power the various components of the computing system and distributed to the various components along these power lines, where it may be received by its intended recipient and acted upon if necessary.

1. A method for distributing management communications in a network, comprising:
 placing a management communication on a power line at a component; and 
 receiving the management communication at a first routing device coupled to the power line, wherein the power line supplies power to the first routing device and the component is a second routing device operable to receive a management communication and place the management communication on the power line using the modulator. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first routing device and the second routing device are operable to communicate according to a first transport medium and the management communication is received by the second routing device on a second transport medium distinct from the first transport medium. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the second transport medium is a management communication medium. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the management communication medium is Ethernet. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the component is a power supply. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the power supply is operable to modulate the communication onto the power line and provide power to the first routing device on the power line. 
     
     
       7. A method for distributing management communications in a network, comprising:
 placing a management communication on a power line at a component; and 
 receiving the management communication at a first routing device coupled to the power line, wherein the power line supplies power to the first routing device and the management communication was received at the power supply on a management communication medium. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the management communication medium is Ethernet. 
     
     
       9. A method for distributing management communications in a network, comprising:
 placing a management communication on a power line at a component; and 
 receiving the management communication at a first routing device coupled to the power line, wherein the power line supplies power to the first routing device and the management communication is related to administrative tasks associated with the network. 
 
     
     
       10. A method for distributing management communications in a network, comprising:
 placing a management communication on a power line at a component; and 
 receiving the management communication at a first routing device coupled to the power line, wherein the power line supplies power to the first routing device and the management communication originated from a management program. 
 
     
     
       11. A network which utilizes management communications, comprising:
 a component operable to place a management communication on a power line; and a first routing device coupled to the component via the power line, operable to receive the management communication on the power line, wherein the power line supplies power to the first routing device and the component is a second routing device operable to receive a management communication and place the management communication on the power line using the modulator. 
 
     
     
       12. The network of  claim 11 , wherein the first routing device and the second routing device are operable to communicate according to a first transport medium and the management communication is received by the second routing device on a second transport medium distinct from the first transport medium. 
     
     
       13. The network of  claim 12 , wherein the second transport medium is a management communication medium. 
     
     
       14. The network of  claim 13 , wherein the management communication medium is Ethernet. 
     
     
       15. The network of  claim 11 , wherein the component is a power supply. 
     
     
       16. The network of  claim 15 , wherein the power supply is operable to modulate the communication onto the power line and provide power to the first routing device on the power line. 
     
     
       17. A network which utilizes management communications, comprising:
 a component operable to place a management communication on a power line; and a first routing device coupled to the component via the power line, operable to receive the management communication on the power line, wherein the power line supplies power to the first routing device and the management communication was received at the power supply on a management communication medium. 
 
     
     
       18. The network of  claim 17 , wherein the management communication medium is Ethernet. 
     
     
       19. A network which utilizes management communications, comprising:
 a component operable to place a management communication on a power line; and a first routing device coupled to the component via the power line, operable to receive the management communication on the power line, wherein the power line supplies power to the first routing device and the management communication is related to administrative tasks associated with the network. 
 
     
     
       20. A network which utilizes management communications, comprising:
 a component operable to place a management communication on a power line; and a first routing device coupled to the component via the power line, operable to receive the management communication on the power line, wherein the power line supplies power to the first routing device and the management communication originated from a management program. 
 
     
     
       21. A method for distributing management communications in a storage system, comprising:
 placing a management communication on a power line at a first routing device using a modulator; 
 receiving the management communication at a component on the power line; and 
 communicating the management communication to a management program, where communicating the management communication to the management program comprises placing the management communication a management communication medium. 
 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 21 , wherein the management communication medium is distinct from the power line. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 21 , wherein the management communication medium is Ethernet. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 23 , wherein the component is a power supply. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 23 , wherein the component is a second routing device, wherein the power line supplies power to the second routing device.